On January 24, ex-Formula 1 driver Robert Kubica (Poland, 28) undertakes his first tests in a DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia. During the day’s testing, Kubica aims to see how he fares in the cockpit after his long break due to injury.

Kubica sustained multiple injuries in an accident on the 6th February 2011 whilst rallying. He has taken part in various national rallies during the past few months in preparation for a possible return to motor racing. This test drive with Mercedes-Benz in the world’s most popular touring car series represents his first proper outing on a racetrack under actual test conditions since his time in Formula 1.

Kubica was a member of the Mercedes-Benz motor racing family right back at the start of his career; during the 2004 season, the Polish driver lined up in a Dallara-Mercedes on the Formula 3 Euro Series grid for Mücke Motorsport. Kubica took three podiums and 53 points running a Mercedes-Benz Formula 3 engine. That same year, he took second place on the podium in the prestigious Formula 3 Grand Prix at Macau’s Guia street circuit.
Before his serious rallying accident in early 2011, Kubica had contested 76 Formula 1 races, winning his first grand prix – the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix – in Montreal.

Robert Kubica: “I’m really pleased that Mercedes-Benz is giving me the opportunity to test their DTM car and I’m looking forward to getting acclimatised to a race car again. It will be in proper testing conditions, on a permanent circuit, and it’s important because the DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé has good levels of downforce. It’s still too early to make any statements about my future because of this one test. I’m just looking forward to tomorrow and we’ll see what happens after that.”